The Aljafería Palace (Arabic:قصر الجعفرية Qasr Aljafariya, Spanish: Palacio de la Aljafería) is a fortified medieval Islamic palace built during the second half of the 11th century in the Moorish taifa of Zaragoza of Al-Andalus

The University of Al-Karaouine or Al-Qarawiyyin (Arabic: جامعة القرويين‎) (other transliterations of the name include Qarawiyin, Kairouyine, Kairaouine, Qairawiyin, Qaraouyine, Quaraouiyine, Quarawin, and Qaraouiyn) is a university located in Fes, Morocco. Founded in 859, as a religious school, the university is one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Muslim world. It is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest degree-granting university in the world.

Sorry, alexa, but you've got it a bit askew.
The word classic/classical originated to describe the peak period of Ancient Greek architecture which is divided into 3 general variations of the style and called in chronological order: Archaic, Classical or Hellenic & Hellenistic. The Classical/Hellenic is considered the peak of achievement of the style. The Ancient Romans adopted and adapted the Greek Style so the style of art and architecture is also considered 'Classical'.

Later styles based on the classical ideas of art & aesthetics are also considered 'Classical'.

The Italian Renaissance ('rebirth' of classical art, ideas and learning) revived the style albeit making changes and adapting it to contemporary needs and ideas. This continued through the Mannerist Period (aka Late Renaissance) in Italy, on into the Baroque Style, a more robust, emotional and theatrical version of the classical.

Through the efforts of the Roman Catholic Church, primarily, the Baroque spread to other countries in Europe, especially, France, Germany, Spain & England. The Baroque had a decorative variation called 'Rococo', very popular in the period of Louis Quatorze/XIV in France & in England.

Spain in particular, spread a version of the Baroque style, classical in derivation but much more exuberant, decorative and dramatic in character and form to the 'New World', the Americas.

The classical was again revived in Europe, first as Neo-Classical then later, along with the Gothic and other styles in the C19th in Europe in the Revivalist (it has several names!) period which persisted into the early C.20th. This revivalist style occurred all over the Western world, the Americas, Australasia & even in Africa. It is usually referred to and identified as 'Neo-', as in 'Neo-Baroque'.

The words 'classic' & 'classical' have gained extended meanings and now also mean the 'best & purest form of expression' of almost anything, not just art and architecture. It can also contain within its meaning the sense of 'the most typical of its style, form, etc.'
Thus you have a 'classic car', the 'classics' in music, a 'classic' movie, a classic 'performance' of something, a 'classic' novel, a 'classic' moment in something or whatever is meant to be particularly good or typical or special.

Thus, the very best of Islamic architecture, art, calligraphy, etc., is rightly described as 'classic' or 'classical'. Within Islam, you have classic examples of, for example, Ottoman architecture, etc.

And the same goes for all other styles or pursuits or human activity when you want to identify the best, the most typical, whatever you consider to be 'classic'.

Words originate but time can change, extend, alter, and even reverse their meaning.

The words 'classic' and 'classical' have had a long and distinguished career, though, as in all things, they have also been abused at times.

Last edited by Brizer; January 10th, 2012 at 10:36 AM.
Reason: tidying up